GabyIn March 2017, Alain Thébault and Anders Bringdal, world record holders in sailing speed, presented their own startup. Their idea was to create energy-efficient and environmentally friendly marine transport. This is particularly relevant for France, as it is bordered by four bodies of water: the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, the country is rich in numerous picturesque lakes. This year, it will be possible to travel between them using a flying water taxi.
No magic – just physics.
SeaBubbles is a five-seat electric sea taxi that has underwater wings and can fly. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? However, it all becomes clearer when you consider the laws of physics.
It is known that water is over 700 times denser than air, making it much harder to move through. To overcome this resistance and increase the speed of watercraft, so-called underwater wings were invented. They are located beneath the hull and generate lift during movement, which fully or partially raises the vessel above the water’s surface. As a result, the contact area with the water is significantly reduced, along with the hydrodynamic resistance. This allows for speeds that are unattainable for traditional watercraft.
This principle was the foundation for the design of SeaBubbles.
First passengers
From the presentation of the test model in Paris to the creation of a real commercial service open to the public, six years have passed. The project curators claim that this is the first such transport in France. At the beginning of July this year, it already welcomed its first passengers at the pier in the small town of Veyrier-du-Lac, from where it set off to Annecy-le-Vieux. From July 1 to August 31, 2023, the city authorities of Annecy and SeaBubbles Mobility Solutions will join forces to test the water taxi as a full-fledged public transport option.
Over the next few weeks, there will be 8 round trips every day. The transportation will take place between the previously mentioned Veiryé-du-Lac and Annecy-le-Markisat. You can catch the flying water taxi between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
“Our eco-boats are the perfect place for unique events and unusual meetings, where you can enjoy incredible water landscapes without any noise or pollution,” the company commented.
Futuristic design and aesthetic pleasure
Judging by the appearance of this vehicle, we readily believe that its passengers are indeed in for an unforgettable experience of enjoying picturesque landscapes. The designers have taken care of this by enriching the structure with numerous features, such as folding doors and windows that open at various angles. To open the doors, they must first be slid to the side and then lifted upwards. The resulting configuration will resemble a winged hydrocycle. There is also the option to retract the roof. This will allow for greater airflow, let sunlight in, and provide guests with unobstructed panoramic views.
After the successful debut of the first water-air electric taxi, the company has begun developing the next model. It has even been given a name – SmartBubbles. The older brother of the “sea bubble” will also have underwater wings, but now they will extend for better mobility. Due to the wider body, this model is more spacious and can accommodate between 8 to 12 passengers. The first prototype is already undergoing testing on Lake Annecy, while SeaBubbles will make its first “flights” in the coming months.
The company also announced the development of a new version of SeaBubbles. The update will include a fast charging feature. As a result, the battery will be fully charged in 4 minutes.
Without noise and emissions
The hull of the electric flying water taxi SeaBubbles is mounted on inverted T-shaped underwater wings that feature a dynamic control system. These wings have flaps similar to those used in airplanes. Electric drives automatically adjust the vehicle’s height and counteract unwanted movements such as roll, pitch, and yaw. Side sensors read the flight altitude and send stability data to the onboard computer. This program is specifically designed for the hull of the boat. It uses an inertial device to adjust the flaps in real-time.
The concept of all water taxis by SeaBubbles Mobility Solutions is revolutionary in a certain sense. It is not only about the aesthetic pleasure of using them but also about safety for the environment. The creators of the idea followed the principle of “zero waves, zero noise, zero emissions.” Therefore, this vehicle is not only customer-oriented but also eco-friendly. This allows it to be used even in areas with heightened protection, such as nature reserves.
The authors of the project admit that while creating SeaBubbles, they were inspired by nature itself: the design of the flying water taxi is as elegant as a bubble, and its operating principle resembles the movements of a flying fish, the publication reports. Designboom .
